Thursday, June 16, 2011

Having driven 830kms from Bandra we reached Murdeshwar in the evening at around 5pm.

It was a very smooth drive on the NH4 upto Hubli and then onto NH63 upto Ankola to connect

NH17 which has been resurfaced and a pleasure to drive on.

We checked in at Naveen Beach Resort which as the name suggests is bang on the beach.

Absorbed the beautiful sunset from the beach along with hundreds of others who had come to spend their evening out there.

Participated in the community watching of the cricket match on a huge screen on the lawns of the resort for a while and crashed out for the night after a delicious fish curry and rice dinner.

Went for a long walk on the beach at sunrise and was surprised to see a lot of activity on the beach. All pleasant except for one – guys crapping. Why are our beaches used as toilets by the locals? Have seen this happening all along the Konkan coast too.

The fishermen who had laid out nets during the night had hauled in a rich catch of a variety of crabs and lobsters and were busy sorting it out.

Then there were the entrepreneurs who were getting the speed boats ready for water sports. Families were arriving by the busloads to spend the best part of the morning at the beach.

The hawkers selling T-shirts and junk jewellery were setting up shop too.

After a leisurely breakfast of idli dosa, we set out for the Kollur Mookambika temple. Reached

there in time for the pooja, got blessed and moved onwards towards Vittal.

Driving was a pleasure on the smooth roads and a scenic route. Reached Vittal in the evening, in